Duke, Please Fail! - Side Story 1 (Part 13)

Side Story 1: Part 13

The body had stopped, but the head dropped forward. 

Even then, Nelly’s whimpering did not cease.

As Leonel looked at Nelly, a smile appeared on his face, as if laughter spontaneously erupted just by seeing the adorable creature. However, his expression became awkward, and he slowly withdrew his hand.

As the support disappeared, Nelly’s body tilted a bit more. Nelly’s forehead touched Leonel’s forearm, and when she turned her head, a small face appeared. 

Every time she blinked her half-closed eyes, her auburn eyelashes sparkled orange in the lamplight.

The pendulum swung like eyelashes as if time were flowing slowly. Leonel, looking at her, gradually removed his hand and asked in a low voice.

“Feeling sleepy?”

“A lot. Is it normal to be this sleepy after drinking…?”

“First time drinking?”

“Yeah. I have to go inside. It’s dangerous outside.”

“Not dangerous.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“So, can I trust you, Leonel, and sleep?”

Without waiting for his answer, Nelly pushed Leonel’s thigh with her head. Leonel moved to the edge of the bench, and Nelly, who leaned sideways, lay down on Leonel’s thigh.

“What are you doing…”

Before he could finish his sentence, a jingling sound was heard. Leonel stiffened at the unexpected situation. A patrol knight, who had been on rounds, discovered the two and looked surprised. 

Leonel, feeling awkward, gestured for the knights to turn away.

Once again, only the two remained. Leonel pondered.

‘Should I take her to the room?’

But he didn’t want to bring her inside. Despite the awkwardness, being with Nelly felt comfortable for Leonel. Staying like this might prevent nightmares tonight.

Leonel stopped pondering, pulled his cloak over Nelly, leaned back slightly with his arms on the backrest, and looked down at her. Whether the sleeping potion had taken effect or not, Leonel’s eyelids became heavier. He leaned his head against his arms and, in the blink of an eye, fell asleep.

A few knights stood guard at a distance, protecting the sleeping Nelly and Leonel.

After some time, as dawn approached, the lamp went out. The surroundings plunged into complete darkness.

Leonel woke up around dawn, blinked his eyes, and raised his head.

‘I fell asleep in a place like this?’

He often couldn’t sleep in completely enclosed spaces due to anxiety. However, to fall asleep in such an open space, where danger could lurk from anywhere, was unexpected. Despite wanting to deny it, the arm he had slept on and the sore neck was too painful.

Leonel cautiously lifted Nelly’s head and withdrew his legs. Then he stood up and looked down at Nelly. When the discomfort of not having the bed became apparent, Nelly, who had been tossing and turning, woke up from her sleep.

“Huh?”

She made a groggy sound, blinked her eyes, and then sat up. Simultaneously, a headache struck her.

“Ugh, my head.”

“Looks like you overdid it.”

Why did Leonel’s voice sound like it was coming from above her head? Before she could think of an answer, the black cloak caught her eye.

Her spine tingled for no apparent reason. Nelly tried to piece together memories to find the cause of the unease. Memories had been sparse since she sat on the bench, and everything abruptly cut off.

“Did I make a mistake…?”

“Well…”

Leonel mused, looking at Nelly. Should he call her by name, speak informally, or mention lying on his leg? However, it didn’t feel like a mistake.

“Can’t remember?”

Despite nodding, Nelly desperately tried to remember what happened yesterday. A few conversations came to mind.

“You said it’s safe to sleep here.”

Her voice was uncertain. Leonel nodded, sending a look that indicated she should continue. However, Nelly shook her head.

Leonel involuntarily smiled at her sulky expression, then lowered his head to hide his own.

“That’s fine. Let’s go for breakfast.”

Nelly followed Leonel blankly, then suddenly snapped to attention.

“Are you suggesting we have breakfast together?”

When she fully awakened, Nelly was already sitting at the dining table. 

She had expected to be questioned or ordered to report, but Leonel remained silent. 

Looking around to gauge the atmosphere, the servants seemed no different from usual, though today, she received an unusually pleasant gaze from many.

‘Did I look hungry or something?’

Nelly ate without paying much attention. Filling her stomach with warm and light food seemed to alleviate the hangover. 

As her expression relaxed, Leonel spoke, their eyes not meeting.

“It’s true that I didn’t suspect you.”

Thrown off by the sudden topic, Nelly looked at Leonel while crunching on lettuce. His intense gaze briefly touched her blushing cheek.

‘Like a rabbit.’

Brushing off a momentary, silly thought, Leonel continued speaking.

“It’s just a habit. Everyone under me goes through it.”

“Even Mr. Levance and Mr. Arette?”

“Yeah.”

“And the butler too?”

Leonel nodded and looked at Nelly. Her expression remained somewhat aloof.

“Still, it’s not like they’re used to being watched. Besides, unlike me, they’ve been working for the Duke for a long time, and it must be stifling.”

Leonel closed his mouth, hesitated, and ran his hand through his hair. He was too preoccupied to consider how others might feel. He had been deflecting the responsibility of his emotions onto those around him.

To realize this only now…

“Try to reduce it.”

With that, the conversation ended. Even after the servant brought dessert, Nelly, lost in thought, mechanically chewed on celery.

Leonel’s gaze continued to drift toward her. Afraid she might feel uncomfortable if he stared too much, he deliberately looked elsewhere. For instance, he focused on neglected desserts that Nelly seemed uninterested in.

Then, when Nelly’s plate was empty, he pushed his salad bowl toward her. Nelly, who was bringing dessert, glanced back and forth between the salad and Leonel.

When her plate was empty, she pushed the salad back to him. Leonel looked at her in confusion, and she made a similar expression.

“Weren’t you looking at it because you wanted to eat it?”

No, but Nelly didn’t want to refuse what she was offered, so she accepted it.

“Is the tension eased now?”

Giving her the salad seemed to be his way of apologizing. Nelly, to hide her awkward smile, put the salad Leonel offered into her mouth.

“If you eat dessert, I’ll consider the tension eased.”

Her shy gaze was charming. 

Leonel’s smile broke out at the thought that briefly brushed through his mind like a passing breeze.

Since it was a change even he was not aware of, he didn’t try to conceal it. 

Nelly found herself facing his smile head-on.

The warmth permeated the cold and silent expression, and the slightly flushed lips curved gently. Nelly, captivated, continued to gaze at him until Leonel’s smile disappeared like an illusion.